The day book. (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, August 15, 1912, Image 18

Image and text provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

mmSSSSUNINTENTIONAL WRONGBy Madame Kai Whan.Tia Sau was beautiful according to Japanese ideals, and as thislittle brown maiden lived in Kobethere were plenty to admire herand whisper words of praise asshe tripped along the street, hershining coils of hair unprotectedfrom the sun and wind, save by abrilliantly colored silk umbrella.Tia Sau did not belong to thearistocracy of Japan, for if shehad this little girl would not havewandered about alone as she did,but she was as sweet and true awoman as though she had numbered kings among her ancestors,and her fellow Japanese were notthe only ones who admired her."Most honorable friends," TiaSau confided to Mau Wa, Loo Iljand See Tau, as the four squattedabout the piece of matting onwhich Tia Sau laid out her pictures and paints, "I am admired,yes me, my unworthy self, by oneof the American men," and a richred blush stained the cheeks oflittle Tia Sau.Mau Wa smiled in a superiormanner. "My most illustriousfather spoke to me this morning,and told me that girls who encourage the admiration of otherthan Japanese, are no better thanthe geisha girls," she said, a littleprimly. There was a chorus ofdissent, and' the slanting eyebrows of Loo Hi fairly met in herdisdain."Most honorable friend," TiaSau said angrily rising, "you dishonor us all by such talk," and itlooked for a moment as thoughthere would be a regular schoolgirl fuss, when See Tau cried, tochange the subject:"Oh, see, how handsome is thisexcellency," and she held up aphotograph of a frank-faced, hairhaired young man of about 25,which had slipped from betweenthe pages of the book she hadbeen holding.Tia Sau turned still redder,murmuring:"It is of him I spoke," and theother three bent over the picturechattering as only girls can, bethey white, brown, black or red,even Loo III joining in."He is one of the honorable engineers who worked upon thegreat bridge," Tia Sau explained,trying to hide her face in herhands, while Mau Wa lookedworried. She knew that it wasnot well for her companions toencourage the attentions of theAmericans, and yet she appreciated the good looks of the handsome young man."Tia Sau, tell me," Mau Wasaid sternly, "what makes youthink that the excellency admiresyou?"Little Tia Sau, who was only14, hung her head. It was hardto explain everything."Tell," came the command."I won't," sobbed the Japanesemaiden, and the four friends parted in'anger, even See Tau feelinghurt. After they had gone TiaSauput on her handsome palelavender kimona, tied on her pinkand yellow obi (sash) that outlined her little bustless figure, andwith a crimson flush picked a